Dana White hints at B.J. Penn returning to the ring

It may be far from an official announcement but signs continue to indicate former double-divisional champion B.J. Penn is leaning towards returning to the ring after deciding to hang up his gloves this past October. Though Penn still seemed on the fence when asked about it a week ago after UFC on Fuel 2, the popular Hawaiian also admitted he’d been back in the gym training, and apparently for good cause too, at least according to UFC President Dana White.

“I heard some sh*t that he said he was going to retire and all this stuff. I talked to him, and he’s like, ‘I want to fight again,’” said White in a conversation with MMAJunkie after last night’s UFC 145 festivities had concluded.

White didn’t elaborate further, even indicating what weight-class the surefire Hall of Famer would compete at if Penn does end his impromptu retirement. The 33-year old has held both the lightweight and welterweight titles, preferring the comfort of 170 pounds but enjoying a bit more success at 155 based on his physical dimensions. Penn hasn’t tipped his hand in that regard either, saying both are possibilities in a scenario where he comes back to competing in the cage.

An emotionally drained Penn retired after coming up short against Nick Diaz at UFC 137, citing a desire to spend more time with his family and expressing displeasure at his performance in the one-sided decision defeat to Diaz.